utility tractor project

[robbie]

I went to the scrap yard today and took photos of some of the better tractors in the lawn and garden section. I'm looking for an old fashioned, heavy duty tractor with an iron axle or transaxle. The first one I saw was this Ford. It has a drive shaft that goes back to a hydraulic unit in the rear, although you can't see it very well. I also took a photo of the rear axle, but it got washed out by sunlight.

 

[robbie]

I also saw this interesting tractor from an unknown manufacturer. It has a hydraulic pump attached to the rear of the engine and an oil cooler fan on the front.

 

[robbie]

They have a special section for Cub Cadet. There were a few good ones, but one that looks particularly nice. It's the one with the hood. It seems to have a Kohler engine and a good mower deck. Even if the engine is trashed I could put a Harbor Freight engine on it. It has a drive shaft to the back axle, a clutch, and a normal car-style shifter in front of the seat. Unfortunately the guy who makes up prices off the top of his head wasn't there, so I have to go back another day to get a price on it.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

That hooded Cub looks like a very solid starting point. Let us know what happens!

 

[Orange Krate]

Gotta love the old Cub Cadets! Be sure to post pics if you retore one of those

 

[robbie]

The Ford looks like crap in the photos, but it was a pretty decent machine. The engine had a hole in the side.

The Cadet with the hood looks like somebody used it for 40 years and parked it indoors, and then the grandkids hauled it off after the funeral. The front tires point in different directions, but that's about all that's obviously messed up.

 

[machinist@large]

I also saw this interesting tractor from an unknown manufacturer. It has a hydraulic pump attached to the rear of the engine and an oil cooler fan on the front.

Older Case/ Ingersoll. It has an all cast iron rear end housing with both high and low range, and is a hydro-stat to boot. As long as the oil was kept full and clean, these things are almost impossible to kill. Also, many of them had provisions for powering accessories such as Cat 0 three point linkages, hydraulic tillers, log splitters, etc. They're smooth to operate; in the photo's of the engine bay, you'll see that the motor mounting plate is vibration isolated on four rubber bushings. Keeps the dreaded numb hands/ feet behind at a minimum.

The only problem I had with the old one we still have on the farm was that the mower deck was designed for a golf course (perfectly flat with zero obstructions or hazards), while our farm lawn needed (still needs?) a Hydro Ax (R Tm) type machine. The only reason I gave up and parked it was it was going to cost me 1 1/2 times more to replace the deck (with another of same) than I paid for a brand new Ex-Mark commercial walk behind that had a 8" wider cut.

If you're looking for just a lawn machine, you'll probably be happier with a Cub. If you have a lawn mower, and are looking for a starting point to customize a work horse tractor build, I'd give that old Case a hard second glance.

Just my two cents.... Pat [[Cheers2]]

 

[robbie]

I already have lawn mowers. What I need is a small tractor for hauling loads that are too big for a wheelbarrow, in places that are too small for a full size tractor or too rough for a pickup truck. The Case (thanks for identifying it) really caught my eye. I have to wonder if there's anything wrong with the hydraulic system on it. I have a theory that when you find something in the junk yard there is usually no more than one catastrophically failed part. I'm thinking it's probably the engine. Somebody cut the oil cooler off and set it where the seat was, so it looks as if it has been closed until recently. I'm just wondering if I can afford this project.

 

[OzFab]

I'm just wondering if I can afford this project.

Most of us worry about that later

 

[katoranger]

I am familiar with cubs. Parts are usually easy to find and cheap.

The transmissions rarely fail. The one with the automotive type shifter would be a 3 speed. I pushed a broken VW jetta up a hill on dirt with a 122.

I currently have a Ford 120 that I use around the yard. Paid $80 at auction. Brought it home and charged the battery. Been running since.

 

[Orange Krate]

I'm fighting hard the urge to go get this one. I talked him down but still not enough space/time/money
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bar/4184500775.html

 

[katoranger]

I have a couple Gravely L engines and a sickle mower.

 

[Orange Krate]

My best friend mowed lawns with one just like that when we were teenagers. The last time I saw him alive he was riding it past my house to a job That's why I want one but I'd really rather track his down.(no it didn't kill him, he died in a car wreck)

There's a character in Go-Kart Alley based on him, Gravely and all

Sorry for hijacking this thread but I do have a soft spot for the garden tractors

 

[richie thomas]

They have a special section for Cub Cadet. There were a few good ones, but one that looks particularly nice. It's the one with the hood. It seems to have a Kohler engine and a good mower deck. Even if the engine is trashed I could put a Harbor Freight engine on it. It has a drive shaft to the back axle, a clutch, and a normal car-style shifter in front of the seat. Unfortunately the guy who makes up prices off the top of his head wasn't there, so I have to go back another day to get a price on it.

the red cub i believe is a 982, they came with the opposed twins in them, the 782(which is the one i have) came with a 17 hp single, i wish i could find a 782D, it came with a diesel which would be amazing

 

[zbuck]

the red cub i believe is a 982, they came with the opposed twins in them, the 782(which is the one i have) came with a 17 hp single, i wish i could find a 782D, it came with a diesel which would be amazing

Is your 782 made by IHC 1979-81 or MTD 1981-85? Someone must have changed the engine because, both manufactures use a 2cyl. opposed Kohler, either a KT17 series 1 or a KT17 series 2.

 

[richie thomas]

Is your 782 made by IHC 1979-81 or MTD 1981-85? Someone must have changed the engine because, both manufactures use a 2cyl. opposed Kohler, either a KT17 series 1 or a KT17 series 2.

it might have been a twin, it was gave to me with out the motor and the woman said she thought it was a single, and it is a IHC 782, not the mtd crap lol